In the expert interview “Concentration can be activated”, cognitive scientist Fabio Paglieri explains why focus is not a coincidental state, but the outcome of deliberate regulation – both individual and spatial.
Attention and concentration – a necessary distinction
Attention and concentration are often treated as synonymous. Paglieri draws a clear distinction between the two:
“Attention is like the beam of a lighthouse, illuminating the target and the nature of the task. Concentration, by contrast, is the ability to direct cognitive resources in the direction illuminated by attention.”
Attention marks a focal point. Concentration mobilises the resources required to act upon it – reasoning, memory, effort and intuition. It is more complex and more demanding, requiring conscious alignment.
In everyday working life, this state proves fragile. Between emails, video calls and informal exchanges, cognitive shifts occur continually. The result is not only reduced efficiency, but often a diffuse sense of fatigue.
Fragmentation as a source of strain
One of the interview’s central observations concerns the relationship between effort and tiredness. Contrary to common assumptions, it is not intensive work that exhausts us most, but constant interruption.
“Those who suffer from work-related fatigue are not those who are engaged, but those who are constantly distracted.”
Fragmented attention creates a succession of tasks begun, interrupted and resumed. This mode consumes energy without producing tangible progress. Concentration, by contrast, enables continuity – and with it, a sense of achievement.
Focus is therefore not an additional burden; it is a stabilising force.
The influence of context
Paglieri emphasises that the difficulty of concentrating does not stem from diminished cognitive ability, but from the context in which we operate.
“Constant distraction is one of the greatest risks of contemporary society.”
Digital tools have become indispensable – yet they simultaneously multiply potential interruptions. Every notification, every parallel communication channel entails a shift in attention. Such shifts carry cognitive costs that are frequently underestimated.
For hybrid workplaces, this insight is significant. Collaboration alone cannot serve as the guiding principle. Equally necessary are structures that enable uninterrupted phases of concentration.
Space as a structuring element
Workspaces are not neutral containers. They shape perception, behaviour and mental states. Paglieri refers to the psychological concept of “affordance” – the possibilities for action that an environment offers.
“In the past, it was believed that spaces should be sterile and free from distractions; instead, they should be functional for the task.” (p. 20)
What matters is not the absence of stimuli, but coherence. A library offers a clear example: materials, lighting, acoustics and furnishings all support the purpose of reading and reflection without appearing austere.
Sedus INSIGHTS illustrate how this principle can be translated into contemporary workplaces: through differentiated zones that accommodate distinct modes of attention – from communicative areas to protected focus spaces.
Autonomy as a prerequisite
Concentration is closely linked to a sense of control. The ability to influence one’s surroundings strengthens self-regulation. This applies equally to digital and physical environments.
The case studies presented in Sedus INSIGHTS articulate this clearly:
“At I-AM, we believe that concentration is not only about silence – it is about self-determination.”
Choice, modular structures and clearly defined retreat areas create conditions in which individuals can decide where and how to work, depending on the task at hand. Flexibility thus becomes a cognitive advantage.
Concentration and recovery
Focus is not a permanent state. It follows a natural rhythm of effort and recovery. Paglieri suggests that breaks should not merely interrupt work, but actively regenerate energy.
“We should not hesitate to create truly attractive and motivating break areas within working environments.”
Well-designed retreat spaces, work cafés or biophilic elements can help restore energy rather than merely dampen stimulation. Concentration emerges from the interplay between activity and renewal.
A cultural dimension
Beyond spatial design and technology, organisational culture plays a decisive role. Meeting structures, expectations of availability and leadership behaviour all influence the space afforded to focused work.
Concentration is therefore not solely an architectural matter; it is also organisational.
Sedus INSIGHTS underline a clear conclusion: hybrid offices must enable exchange while safeguarding attention. Varied levels of stimulation, thoughtful transitions and deliberately designed focus areas provide the framework for this balance.
Concentration is a finite resource. When supported with intention, it fosters not only stronger outcomes, but also greater clarity and satisfaction in everyday working life.
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